Dr. K breaks down how getting stuck in regret, fantasy, and “what could have been” thinking can quietly block real change. When the mind keeps rewriting the past or imagining alternate versions of life, it feels productive, but it actually drains the emotional fuel needed to move forward in the present.
This episode explores why fantasy can feel comforting but ultimately keeps people stuck, especially in depression. Dr. K explains how negative emotions are closely tied to learning and motivation, and why avoiding them through imagination, rumination, or distraction prevents real progress. The focus is not on fixing the past or visualizing a perfect future, but on tolerating the present long enough to take the next real step.
Topics covered include:
Why regret-based fantasy feels helpful but blocks action
How imagination converts negative emotion into false relief
The connection between negative emotion, learning, and motivation
Why rewriting the past creates a false present you cannot act from
How to shift from “what should have been” to “what do I do now”
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